Executive Summary

After 53 years of independence, the people of Bangladesh have yet to fully reap the benefits of true freedom. The words equality, human dignity, social justice, democracy, and human rights still seem like dreams to the people of Bangladesh even in 2024. The human rights situation after independence, especially until August 2024, was the most frightening and extremely worrying. While Bangladesh is committed to protecting human rights as a state in accordance with its constitutional obligations and international law, the human rights situation in key areas such as the rule of law, democracy, voting rights, freedom of expression, the right to assembly, and social security not only deteriorated but also reached extremely worrying levels throughout the year. Following the controversial and flawed elections of 2014 and 2018, where many Bangladeshis did not have the opportunity to exercise their voting rights, 2024 began with another unacceptable and questionable election without an opposition party and widespread violence. The election, which became known to the people of Bangladesh as a dummy election, was mainly a show of electoral competition between the main candidates of the Awami League and dummy candidates.

Thousands of students and the public were injured and killed in the anti-discrimination student movement in July and August due to widespread repression by various government forces that began in June, cantered on the High Court declaring the circular illegal that issued by the government in 2018 to abolish quotas. During these days, batons, tear gas, sound grenades, water cannons, shootings, disappearances, murders, detentions, arrests, false cases, harassment, etc. were commonplace. Not only that, during the movement, the government shut down the internet and declared a state of emergency in the country, leading to widespread killings. Leaders and activists of other organizations, including the ruling Awami League, Jubo League, and Chhatra League, joined the government forces in this killing.

During the massacre, the autocratic Prime Minister fled to India on August 5 in the face of a mass uprising created as an expression of the anger of the students and the public. After Sheikh Hasina left the country, widespread looting, anarchy, attacks and vandalism on houses and private institutions, minority oppression, extrajudicial killings, mass beatings, insults, extortion, and various unpleasant and unexpected incidents began to occur across the country.. Law and order deteriorated drastically in different parts of the country and political revenge attacks were widespread. In particular, Awami League leaders and activists and those known to be supporters of the Sheikh Hasina government were targeted. After the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, there was no government in the country for about 80 hours. Then on August 8, the interim government formed under the leadership of Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus faced difficult challenges in its attempt to re-establish order in the country. The interim government faced a series of setbacks, mainly due to the lack of cooperation from the administration and law enforcement agencies. Even during this time, human rights violations, including mob violence, political violence, and revenge attacks, continued to occur across the country, which have not yet been fully brought under control.

Based on reports published in 12 national media outlets in Bangladesh and data collected by the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS), the following information has been revealed in the 2024 Human Rights Observation Report.

Ø Regarding the anti-discrimination student-people movement, information gathered from victims' families, eyewitnesses, hospitals, and national newspapers confirms the deaths of 1,035 individuals so far. Furthermore, based on credible data from media, hospitals, and other sources, it is estimated that the death toll is at least 1,300. Among the deceased are students, laborers, journalists, professionals, law enforcement members, children, women, and supporters or activists of various political parties. At least 143 child and adolescent, and 14 girls or women have lost their lives in the movement. The nationwide uprising has resulted in at least 30,000 injuries. Thousands of students and civilians have lost limbs or eyes, with over 600 people losing vision in one or both eyes. There are allegations of enforced disappearances involving at least 14 coordinators and individuals associated with the movement, as well as numerous cases of unlawful detention. 

In connection to the movement, at least 270 journalists were injured, threatened, arrested, or harassed while carrying out their professional duties, and 6 journalists were killed. From July 17 to August 4, over 950 cases were filed nationwide, implicating more than 600,000 people, with at least 12,000 individuals arrested.  Following Sheikh Hasina's departure from the country, more than 500 police stations, outposts, and government infrastructure were attacked, vandalized, or set on fire. Additionally, at least 2,000 houses, vehicles, and businesses were attacked, vandalized, set on fire, or looted. During this period, at least 65 attacks on minority communities were reported, resulting in injuries to at least 61 individuals and killed 2 persons. Furthermore, 15 temples, 228 homes, and 240 shops or businesses were vandalized, looted, or set on fire. 

Ø  The 12th National Parliamentary Election and the 6th Upazila Parishad Election in Bangladesh were conducted amidst boycotts by opposition parties and reluctance from citizens to cast their votes. These two crucial elections in Bangladesh's history set records for low voter turnout. Additionally, no unlawful activities were left uncommitted in these elections. 

Alarmingly, in 2024, at least 781 incidents of election-related violence were reported, resulting in the deaths of at least 43 individuals, injuries to at least 2,538, and the vandalism or looting of at least 820 homes and businesses. Among the 43 fatalities, 39 were leaders, activists, or supporters of the Awami League. 

Since the announcement of the 12th National Parliamentary Election schedule on November 15, 2023, nearly every district in the country has witnessed clashes, violence, killings, vandalism, arson, and looting. In at least 752 incidents of this election-related violence, 17 people lost their lives, and at least 2,534 were injured. Over 100 individuals suffered gunshot wounds, and more than 450 homes and businesses were vandalized, set on fire, or looted. Additionally, over 100 vehicles were vandalized or set ablaze. In January 2024 alone, 12 individuals were killed, 11 of whom were supporters, leaders, or activists of the then-ruling Awami League. Within six months of the 12th National Parliamentary Election, the phased 6th Upazila Parishad Election saw at least 203 incidents of violence nationwide, resulting in 17 deaths, injuries to at least 1,004 individuals, gunshot wounds to over 20, and vandalism, arson, or looting of more than 350 homes and businesses. 

Ø This year, at least 1,180 people have been killed and at least 37,051 injured in at least 3,407 incidents of political violence. At least 1,035 people were killed and at least 30,000 people injured in more than two thousand violent incidents centered around the July-August protests.  Most other incidents of political violence stemmed from clashes between the Awami League and BNP, as well as internal conflicts within these parties over dominance. Additionally, at least 15,520 political leaders, activists, and supporters were arrested by law enforcement agencies, the majority being from BNP-Jamaat and Awami League. Simultaneously, political activists were named in at least 1,383 cases, listing at least 66,000 individuals by name, and accusing another approximately 660,000 as unidentified. Moreover, at least 704 opposition meetings and rallies were disrupted by law enforcement and ruling Awami League leaders and activists. Clashes during these events resulted in injuries to at least 30,000 people, and at least 10,000 individuals were arrested in connection with rally-related incidents.

Ø  This year, at least 309 attacks resulted in 727 journalists being killed, tortured, or harassed. Among them, 09 journalists were killed, at least 370 injured, 109 assaulted, 95 threatened, 19 arrested, and 134 faced legal cases. During movements involving students and the public, at least 270 journalists were injured, threatened, arrested, or assaulted while on professional duty, with 6 journalists killed. Alarmingly, under the Cyber Security Act 2023, 32 cases were filed, leading to the arrest of 21 individuals and accusations against 79 others. Additionally, in at least 112 attacks on minority communities, 2 people were killed, 83 injured, and damage was inflicted on 28 temples, 31 idols, 284 homes, 240 shops, and business establishments.

Ø  It is concerning that at least 173 people were killed and 88 injured in 201 mob lynching incidents. In 609 cases of labor exploitation, at least 439 workers were killed, including 240 by law enforcement gunfire, and 595 were injured. Due to unsafe working conditions and the absence of protective equipment, 168 workers died in workplace accidents. In 13 incidents of domestic worker abuse, 9 workers were killed, and 4 were injured. Furthermore, the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) was involved in 57 attacks, resulting in 26 Bangladeshi deaths, 25 injuries, 47 gunshot wounds, and 158 arrests. Additionally, the bodies of 9 Bangladeshis were recovered from the Indian border. Along the Myanmar border, 17 attacks by the Myanmar Border Guard Police (BGP) and Arakan Army led to the deaths of 6 Bangladeshis, injuries to 25, gunshot wounds to 13, and the arrest of 74 individuals.

Ø  In 2024, at least 25 extrajudicial killings were reported by law enforcement, including 1 under the excuse of "crossfire/shootout," 13 from torture, and 10 from gunfire. One person died in custody. Among killings associated with mass uprisings, 520 (75%) deaths occurred due to police violence, and 66 (9%) were attributed to other law enforcement agencies. Over 84% of these deaths were caused by police and other security forces. Furthermore, 101 individuals died in prison custody, including 41 convicted prisoner and 60 trial prisoners. According to victims, their families, eyewitnesses, and national daily reports, at least 17 people were forcibly disappeared this year. Of them, 9 were later shown as arrested, 7 were released, and we could trace update of 01.

Ø  In 2024, 1,499 women and girls were subjected to violence. Among them, 558 were raped, with an alarming 284 (51%) being minors. Disturbingly, 130 (23%) were gang-raped, and 40 were killed after being raped, including 22 children. Additionally, 11 rape survivors died by suicide. A total of 322 women and children faced sexual harassment, with 130 being children. Domestic violence incidents resulted in the deaths of 319 women, injuries to 74, and 127 suicides. Dowry-related violence claimed the lives of 48 women, with 32 physically assaulted and 6 committing suicides. Acid attacks affected 13 women. It is deeply troubling that at least 4,378 children were subjected to abuse this year, with 664 deaths and 3,714 experiencing physical and psychological harm. The July-August protests led to the deaths of 143 children and injuries to at least 3,000 others.